If our hearts are ready for anything, we can open to our inevitable losses, and to the depths of our sorrow. We can grieve our lost loves, our lost youth, our lost health, our lost capacities. This is part of our humanness, part of the expression of our love for life.

We are all living through a life-changing global event. This coronavirus is crippling governments, devastating communities, and killing without reason. The number of cases grows every day as scientists race for a solution, governments try to do their best to protect their citizenry, and each of us, huddled in our homes, hopes for the best.

If this disease has touched you personally, I am truly sorry and send good thoughts your way. Losing a loved one, a friend, or a colleague, to something like this has got to be heartbreaking. As the numbers grow across the globe, it is highly likely that some of you, including me, may suffer some loss from this virus.

How do we deal with this?

I follow my daily rituals. I get my work done. I stay in touch with family here and abroad. I monitor the official sites that are working on this and provide information about it. The area I live in is up to 65 cases, with no fatalities. My sister lives in a part of Michigan that is being ravaged by this thing. She’s got close to 3000 cases in her county, with 100+ deaths. My brother, wife, stepdaughters, niece and nephew, live in Arizona. They all live in the hardest hit county in Arizona, but the numbers aren’t staggering like they are here in Michigan. Thank God for that.

I will try to not focus on this thing anymore, but will leave you with this. Stay safe by following the guidance of your local authorities. Practice social distancing, only go out when you absolutely have to, wash your hands, and avoid touching your face, when you’re out, particularly when you’re shopping for groceries. Stay connected with your local authorities, state authorities, and federal authorities. Guidance is changing almost daily as we learn more about this virus. If you live in a foreign country, follow the guidance provided within the structures you are used to following during disasters. These authorities love their countries, just like our authorities here in the states do, and will get you the information you need that is specific to your particular area.